Clive Beddoe is well known as the founder and executive chairman
of the successful low cost airline WestJet.

Before he established and ran an airline, he was involved in
many business ventures in Alberta. In 1978, he founded the
Hanover Group of Companies based in Calgary.

His business experience included operating companies that
provided services in property management, manufacturing, and
recycling. Adding to his enterprises, Beddoe purchased a
plastics company that had operations in Edmonton and Vancouver.

To run these enterprises, Beddoe, and those assisting him,
had to fly frequently on regular airlines at full fare. The
costs of transportation were high, and it occurred to Beddoe
that it would cost less to buy an eight-seat Cessna and fly it
himself since he had a pilot’s licence. This idea inspired
Beddoe and his associates at Hanover Group to develop the
concept of a low cost airline.

Framed photograph of AN-225 aircraft
at Namao Airshow in May 1992. The aircraft was here to
pick up materials donated to the Humanitarian Airlift to
the Ukraine.
Read More...